Supporting Our Shelters Act

This bill would create a grant program to help animal shelters and similar organizations care for the animals they take in. Grant funds could pay for food, safe housing, vet care, play and exercise, and hiring, training, and keeping staff who provide that care.

Grants could last up to three years and be renewed if the shelter files yearly reports on how many animals they took in, what happened to them, and how the money was used. The U.S. Department of Agriculture would also send a yearly update to Congress on how the program is working and set rules to run it, with regulations due within 180 days of the law taking effect.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Animal shelters and the animals in their care; local communities that rely on these shelters.
• What changes: New federal grants to improve care, staffing, and services; required yearly reporting by shelters and the agency.
• When: Rules must be issued within 180 days; shelter reports begin within 180 days of the first grant and continue every year; grants can run up to three years and be renewed with required reports.